SA vs SL 3rd Test: South Africa to bat first with an eye on clean sweep

South African Stephen Cook swings on a ball delivered by Sri Lanka Nuwaan Pradeep during the third Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka on January 12, 2017 at Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg. / AFP PHOTO)

Johannesburg: Fast bowler Duanne Olivier was handed a debut as South Africa named an all-pace attack in the third and final test against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers starting Thursday.

Olivier came into the side at the expense of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, while Wayne Parnell replaced Kyle Abbott after the latter’s international career was brought to an abrupt end by his decision to sign with English county Hampshire.

Despite opting to field four fast bowlers, captain Faf du Plessis elected to bat first after winning the toss as South Africa looked to mark Hashim Amla’s 100th test with a series whitewash.

Sri Lanka picked an unchanged side from the one that lost the second test at Newlands by 282 runs.